Box-sealing machine



June 23, 1959 M. G. SHENIGO 2,891,367

BOX-SEALING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR M ichael G. Shenigo ATTORNEYS \WMK bum mw & L f NR4 w kr m3 w Q W N Rm .lill Mg m & mm m June ,1 M. s. SHENlGO ,89 ,367

BOX-SEALING MAuHINE I Filed Aug. 9, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Mic ael G.Shera'go BY WV 7 W ATTORNEYS June 23, 1959 M. G. SHENIGO BOX-SEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 9, 1957 .INVENTOR 'Mihael, GnShen ZMMW W igo ATTORNEYS June 23, 1959 M. G. SHENlG O BOX-SEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 9, 1957 @Qi W INVENTOR Michael G. Shem BY m F ATTORNEYS M. s. SHENIGO I BOX-SEALING MACHINE June 23, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 9, 1957 INVENTOR Miehael Gusher av ATTORNEYS June 23, 1959 M. G. SHENIGO BOX-SEALING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 9, 1957 R O T N E V W Michael ashemyo ATTORNEYS June 23, 1959 I M. G. SHENIGO 2,891,367

- I BOX-SEALING MACHINE File d Aug. 9, 1957 s Sheets-Sheet 7 r 3 r |NvENT 2\ 30 Michael G- sheniyo BY M v W J ATTORNEYS June 23, 1959 M. G. SHENIGO BOX-SEALING MACHINE Filed Aug. 9, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR Michael G-Sh'euigo BY gmw WW ATTORNEYS United States Patent" BOX-SEALING MACHINE Michael G..Shenigo, Sandusky, Ohio, assignor, by mesne "assignments, to West Virginia PulpanrlPaper Com- 1 .pany, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Application August 9, 1957, SerialNo. 677,330

. .16 Claims. (Cl..53--374) i The proposed invention relates to packaging machinery and particularly to machines for p'ackinglarge and heavy articles in paperboard cartons.

The advantages of replacing lumber crates and other in paperboard cartons without lifting 'the object to be packed, while at the same time obtaining atrim, strong hand durable final package which is. as acceptable from a sales point of view. as are the. neat small:cartons in "which small appliances and other objects areconventionally packaged.

- The present invention contemplates and -.has.for. its

- general object the provision of a machine-which has .all

theabove advantages and which at the same time is adaptable to quick'changeovers to cartons of a variety of-dimensions. In similar machines. of the prior art, changeovers to boxes of varying dimensions required that adjustments be performedby skilled men and such adjustments required shutting down the production line for 20 or 30 minutes or more. The present invention enables the changeover to be made in. onenminute or less.

' The ready adjustability provided-by. the present inven- ...tion accounts for adjustment of the elements-forzinfolding carton flaps, the elements for gluing. and sealing the flaps, the elements for centering. the box laterally of the machine and guilding it longitudinally through the ma- .fchine, and the elements. for squaringthe machine. .In short, all the multiple complex operations to be performed in packaging the large and heavy mass-produced articles are suitably adjusted automatically"and'simultaneously according to the invention. The invention contemplates the provision of a longitudinally extending fixed frame and a longitudinally extending hanging frame depending from the fixed frame and in turn supporting a longitudinally extendingpair' of "laterally shifting guide rails. These'severalmain structural 1 elements are associated with the other machineelements in a manner to be more .particularlydescribed.below.

'The above advantages of the inventionand'othenobjects thereof will become apparent from: the following description of one example of the invention.. This example illustrates presently preferred means and apparatus .and will enable the art to readily practice the invention 2 Figure 1 is a plan view of a packaging machine embodying the invention, with certain parts removed to more clearly illustrate the invention, particularly. at the sealing and gluing stations.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sketch of the type of standard paperboard carton which may be employed in the practice -of the invention.

" Figure 4 is a view on an enlarged scale taken "oiiline '--4'4 in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is'an elevational viewon an enlarged s'cale'of the gluing station'of the machine shown inFigure 1.

- Figure 6 is a View taken on line 66 in Figure 5.

v Figure 7' is a fragmentary view on a further' enlarg'ed scale'taken on line-7-7 in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a view on the same scale as Figure 7 a'nd taken from line 8-8 in Figure 6.

- Figure 9 is a somewhat schematic view on a' reduced .scale taken-from line 9-9 in Figure 6 and illustrating part of the flexible drive linkage for a certain mechanism employed in the invention.

Figure 10 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of the apparatus in the vicinity:of the sealing stations of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a plan view of the apparatus seen in Figure 10,. certain uppermost elements being cut away or1eliminated for purposes of clarity.

. Figure. 12 is a view. of a. portion of the apparatus. seen in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a cross section taken on .line :13-I-13Qof Figure 2.

. Figure 14 is an elevation of the apparatus in the vicinity of the squaring station of the machine shown in Figure 1. Figure 15 is a view taken on line 15-15 in Figure'14.

Figure 16 is a view taken on line 16-16 in Figure 14. Figure 17 is a view taken on line 17-17 in Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a view similar to the left and vertically central portion of Figure 15 showing an alternative form'of certain portions of the apparatus.

Figure 19 is a view similar to the portion of Figure 14 which is slightly above and to the left of center showing an alternative form of certain portions of the apparatus. Figure 20 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in' the previous drawings, many stationary portions of the apparatus being eliminated or being shown in phantom for the purpose of bringing out certain featuresof the ures of the'drawings. in which such. reference'numerals may be found. For example, cylindersv 49, 50(4). .signifies that the particular parts referred to arengiverrithe reference numerals 49 and .50 and are .to be conventiently found in Figure 4.

Types of paperboard cartons or containerswithwhich theJ'inVention isparticularly adapted to.:be utilized are conventional rectangular cartons which are mosteconomically shipped folded flat, with their end flaps folded out- .wardly in .the same planes as the sides of the carton.

. in the drawings.

When such a carton is unfolded or expanded by .moving opposing pairs of its sides away from each other,':-the end flaps most naturally remain in erect or longitudinally. extending position. Such a carton 1M 2-6, 13-16) is shown The illustrated carton has a forward 'side 11, sideward lower flaps. 12 and 13, a forwardlower flap 14 and rearward lower flap 15, sideward upperlflaps 16. and 17, a forward upper flap 18-and a rearward upper flap 19. The conformation which such a cartonwillassume when it is unfolded is illustrated in Figure 3.

receive yokes 48.

Objects to be packaged through use of the invention may comprise various bulky shapes. By way of example, the packaging of washing machines having a generally rectangular shape is illustrated. These heavy objects 20(2) are most preferably mounted on pallets in order to support and distribute their substantial weight. In connection with the present invention, there may be employed relatively thin inexpensive paperboard pallets 21(2, 6).

The illustrated example of the invention comprises a long conveyor generally extending in the direction indicated by the arrow 25(1). The conveyor comprises numerous rollers 26 extending transversely of the path on which objects are to be translated along the conveyor. The conveyor also comprises several endless belts 27-31 which either contact the bottom of certain of the rollers 26 to actuate them or are supported thereon in a manner which will be apparent from the several drawings and which will be well known to those familiar with materials handling and packaging.

As indicated in Figure 1, the conveyor 25 leads successively pass through a carton-loading station A, a gluing station B, first and second sealing stations C and D, and a squaring station E.

Carton-loading station At the carton-loading station A, there is provided a drop-away conveyor portion wlich comprises conveyor segments 35 and 36(1). These conveyor segments may consist of four short rollers 26, supported in unitary side frames mounted respectively on the shafts 37 and 38. The shafts 37 and 38 are oscillated by the actuating cylinders 39 and 40 to which they are coupled by suitable crank linkages.

At either side of the loading station A, there is provided one of a pair of oppositely disposed horizontal side plates 43, 44(1, 4). Fixed to the side plates are bushing blocks 45 which slide on fixed guide rods 46. On the bushing blocks 45 are provided bosses 47 which The yokes are powered for intermittent oscillation by the actuating cylinders 49 and 50, acting through a suitable crank linkage in a manner which will be shown from the drawings. In the illustrated machine, the arrangement of the parts is such that the side plates 43 and 44 are withdrawn entirely out from under the path of passing objects when they are in their withdrawn position and extend substantially transversely across the bottom of the path when they are in their extended position. The conveyor segments 35 and 36 are substantially on a level with the remainder of the conveyor 25 when they are in their raised position.

A motor 52(1) powers the drive roll for the belt 27.

Gluing station At the gluing station B, there is provided a stand 60(2, 5, 6) from which extend fixed horizontal frame members 65 and 62(2, 5, 6). At points remote from the stand 60, the frame members 65 and 62 may be supported by arbors 64. In each side of the stand 60 there is provided a slot 66(2, 5, 7). In each slot 66 there is slidably mounted a pillow assembly 7 (2, 6, 7). Rotatably mounted on suitable bushings in each pillow assembly and extending therebetween and therethrough is a shaft 67 to which are keyed a pair of upper glue rollers 68, each of which has associated with it a glue pan 69. Extending downwardly from the top of the gluing station are chain hangers 71 and 72. In a manner most clearly seen in Figure 6, the chain hangers 71 support vertically floating horizontal frame members 61 through straps or rods 71B(6) which are spaced by a cross-arm 71A(6). The members 61 extend from the stand 60 in generally parallel relation to the frame members 65 and 62. The chain hangers 72 support the pillow assembly 70 in z. manner most clearly shown in Figure 7.

An additional transverse bar 85(6) extends between the pillow assembly 70. Hooked straps 86(5, 6) depend from this bar 85 and support the upper glue pan 69. The chain hangers 71 and 72 are engaged on take-up sprockets keyed to a shaft 74. The shaft 7 4 is journaled on the stand 60. The shaft 74 may be actuated by a motor and speed reducer 75 acting through an endless chain linkage 76. The shaft 74 is never rotated more than a few turns. Additional sprockets 77 are fixed to the shaft 74 and engage long chains 78 which extend generally parallel to and between the fixed horizontal frame members 65. Extending as cantilevers inwardly from each pillow assembly 7 t are pairs of upper guide rolls 80 which are preferably positioned with regard to the upper glue rolls 68, as indicated in Figure 5. Journaled on the stand 60 is a lower shaft 82 on which are mounted lower glue rolls 83. Associated with each of the lower glue rolls is a lower glue pan 84. Glue is fed into the upper glue pan by feed lines 87(6). The glue is emptied from the upper glue pan through overflow lines 88. The overflow lines 88 lead directly to the lower glue pans 84. The lower glue pans are emptied through return lines 39(5, 6) which lead to a suitable reservoir (not shown). Glue is fed by this reservoir through the feed lines 87 by suitable pumping means (not shown). The glue is continuously circulated through the feed lines 87, the pans 69 and S4, and the return lines 89. Mounted on the stand 60 are pairs of lower guide rolls 92(5, 6) which are associated with the lower glue rolls 83 in a manner similar to the relationship of the upper glue rolls and guide rolls.

At the end of the shaft 82 on the exterior of the stand 60 is keyed a sprocket 93(6, 9). This sprocket is driven through a chain 97 (6, 9) by a motor 95. The motor 95 drivingly engages the chain 97 through a jack shaft 95B(1, 9). The motor is coupled to the jack shaft 95B through an endless chain drive 95A(1). The jack shaft is coupled to the chain 97 between suitable sprockets as seen in Figure 9. The jack shaft also is coupled by an endless chain linkage to an additional shaft 95C(1, 2, 5) which powers the belts 28 and 29. Another sprocket 101(9) is keyed to the shaft 67 and engages the chain 97 in the manner shown in Figure 9. Appropriate fixed idler sprockets 98 are provided. It will be clear that the power drive for the shaft 67 is thus maintained, despite raising and lowering of the pillow assembly 70, any slight change in the amount of chain being taken up between the centeps of 95B and the uppermost idler 98 being less than that play which the interengaged chain 97 and cooperating sprockets can accommodate.

At the ends of the hcrizontal frame members 61 are fixed two upstanding frame arms 196(2, 5). A preferably circular paddle or ring 105 is mounted on a paddle arm 115 pivoted between the arms 106. The linkage is adapted to be actuated as indicated in Figure 5 by a pneumatic cylinder linkage 167. A pair of plowing members 115A(5) extend upwardly from the ends of the horizontal frame members 61. A standard solenoid op erated pneumatic control valve (not shown) which controls the pneumatic cylinder linkage 107 is itself governed by a carton-actuated microswitch 110(5) appropriately located. The relation of the parts is such that when a loaded carton 10 contacts the microswitch 108 as the carton reaches the gluing station B, the paddle 195 will be caused to swing downwardly and forces the rearmost upper flap 19 forwardly with a swiping motion and will position the flap 19 in such a way that it will be finally inwardly plowed by the plowing members A.

Sealing stations Transversely extending rolls 116 are supported between the horizontal frame members 61 through the gluing station B and on the output side of the gluing station. The rolls 116 and the rolls 26'a're staggered at ..-.the -sealing-:stations C.and ,D,. as indicated in .Figure- 11.

146.(5, .10, 11,-. 14) each... of

I'I.;-'Phat.is-,.:the. rolls areforeshortened so as' to. extendonly ....oyer..the.left-hand. sideof the conveyor .(as :viewed. in

1.,1Eigure 13) at the. station Candonly over the.=right-hand Lsidefofthe conveyor. at station D.

Ill-he .vertically floating. horizontal framemembers 61 are provided with-extensions which may be. integral therewith or which may comprise .separateaframe mem- "...bers 170(2,-.10,. .1l,.-13-15). 1 Supported between: .the

members 61 and/ or the members 170 and bodily movable .vertically. therewith. are a .pair of upper striking members. 122. and 124.. A pair: oflowerstriking members. 123

andT-IZS are supported. -on .the lower fixedframemem- -ber. 62... Eachloftthe striking members.122.125. comarefixed to thevertically floating horizontal frame members 61 or 170, as shown. in the drawings.

: Mountedon a-supporting beam structure 151(10-12),

: .which. straddles the longitudinally extending members 170,. is a crank linkage comprising the crank shafts .152

and 153 which are. joined by a transverse link 154 .and .each..of which. has-formed integrally therewith acrank arm 155. The outer end of each crank arm. 155 is Ipivotally. fixed insupporting relationship to. .one. of a pairfof transversely and. vertically floating frame memprises an arm 128. radially extending from a bell crank 15. bers or guide rails63. The crank shaft 152. is powered '.1ink age 120, which is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder :by a motor 156 acting. through a speed reducer. and 1121f. Each of. thestriking. members 122..125. alsocomendless .chain. linkag'e 157 (10, 11). The membersf 63-at prise a canted-member 129 disposediwith relation to its their, opposite extremity are pivotally mounted. in -sup- I associated radial arm. in .themanner. shown inthedraw- I ported relationship on the end of crank arm'sf158"(-6). ,ings. 'The actuating cylinders of..the pneumatic cylinder Each'of the crank arms'158 is pivotally mountedinsuplinkages 107 are controlled by solenoid-operated valves ported relationship at its inner end on acantilever bolt a (not shown)'which, inturn, are controlled by -the.microextension 159. The cantilever bolts, which form .part switches 132 and'133(1l', 13).' Within the gaps formed ofthe cantilever bolt extensions 159, are fixed. to. the ,by the staggering of the conveyor atthe-stations C ipillow assemblies 70 and extend through the slots: 66. aridD are located supportbars 134-and 134A(11). These 25 In the particular apparatus-illustrated, tilting of..the members are at the level of. the conveyor 25 and serve trailing ends of the upper members 61 at the trailing end to prevent containers at the stations C. and D from tilting of the second sealing station D is avoided by providing '"binwardly, .an auxiliary. hanging chain 149A(20),- which. is taken I There are preferably provided, at least .for the upper up by a' sprocket 1 -12(11). The sprocket 142 is .linked sideward flaps of passing'cartons,suitable plows .135 Q, by asleeve .143 for rotation'with a sprocket-.144.( 12) and'136 positioned as shown inthe drawings. to guide Whichengages one of the hanging chains 149. the flaps from a laterally outwardly folded position. to

an upward position where they are ready to be most Opemtmn Wlth packages of a glven size feffectively engaged by the striking members 122 and- 124. Objects to be packaged approach on their pallets from Similar. .plows may be provided for the lowerusideward 35 the left end of the apparatus as viewed in Figures Land flaps of passing cartons but usually s uch flaps will nor- 2. Additional drive belts may be provided for this feed, "mally drop to a pendant position without plowing. 1or the feed may be by gravity, a slightYslopebeing The upper reach of the belt 28 terminates at the point provided at the input portion of the conveyor 25, or the "138(1), the upper vreach of the belt 29 terminates at the feed may simply be manual to allow the backing up: of 'point 139(1, 10), the upper reach of the belt 30 starts at Q any .random number of objects being continuously .sup- .the' point 140(1, 10), and the upper reach of the belt 31 "plied from a production line. As .an object.20, .on. its "starts at the point 141(1', 10)." It is. at corresponding pallet, enters the loading station .A, the. conveyor..seg- "."p'oints along the length of the .conveyor 25 that the .ments 35 and36 are in their raised position. The side .rollers'. 26 and the upper rollers 116. terminate over. half plates 43 and 44 are extended. After the object. is the extent of the conveyor width. 5' positioned approximately as indicated in Figure 5,. the

g p 1 operator grasps the opposite cornerof acarton or con- Squarmg "station tainer 10 and unfolds' the container to the conformation Supported between the frame members? 170 are a Sefles shown in Figure 3 and places the container over the 0bof transverse [0115 171(1, 2,10, 1 whichldepehd '"ject 20. As the'operator places the carton on .theobfrom short t ps Adjacent the quaring Sta: -ject, he actuates a manual control which preferably may r inwardly 0f 'p of 31900394, are? Provided be any suitable spring-return pneumatic control (not Supporting beams 15 below each pp shownlwhich causes the cylinders 39 and 40 to contract, one of which and above each lower .one of which is i turn causing the conveyor segments 35 and 36 to t a Pneumatic Cylinder linkage, generally nd drop. The flaps 14 and 15 are disposed downwardly'in Gated at 174/9114 Comprising aipflehmatic Y j pendantpositionbelow the levelof the'conveyor'25-,'as 175(14-l6), an actuating rod 176(16) fixed to a guide Y shown in Figure 6, Whilethe flaps'12 and 13 arefol'ded Y h'lchldinghle face Plate and n gral guide outwardly by contact with the plates 43and44. At-this --'-rods 178. Spring-loaded bolts 181 hold squaring bars stage, the-fullweight of the object is borne by the plates or-pressers179 against the .plate 177 but allow limited 43 d-.44, E.Th operator now releases h control. to panting or tilting movement thereof to lessen impact and Y reverseethe cylinder 39 a d40 nd t n. h conveyor distortion 'upon contact of the .bars'179 with the 'side ,zsegrnent's' 35 and .36 to r i d i i Ag/ h cenveyor of a'carton to be'straightened 'Suchlimit d m nt segmcnts35 and 36 move to 'theiriraised position; they is illustrated in phantom in Figure 16. The actuating .-zforce upwardly with them the flaps Hand 15 and cause "cylinders 175 are controlled by solenoid-actuated valves these flaps to be folded. into closed .position agai h 9 Shown) Wh16h thrh, controlled y 'Q7 undersides of the side plates 43. and 44. The operator SWltCh 139 (1 f cohveyohlmmedl' then actuates a second' spring-returncontrol .(notshown) i y ahead of the '$q11aY1I1g h O pfessel'is' to...energize. the actuating cylinders :49 and 50, causing h belts 30 and Whlch extend away m the nthe plates 43 and 44 tobe withdrawn out from under Seahng P by a motor 148(1) 11) --thepath of theobject 20. -When the zplates 43and '44 through, chaln (hive Whlch 1S Qhp h t0 the drive 1. are withdrawn, the flaps 12 and.13 are fully cleared,'.- and for these belts, as clearly shown the object20, together witlrxits container 10, is free to Longitudinally extending size adjustment linkage i along the remiimder the conveyqri the ob ect-20 and conta1ner 10 leave theloadmg station,--the r Keyed to-the shaft-74 are a-pair of sprockets 145(6) second control isreleased by the operator, 'caus'in'g l-the .....on which, engaged in -take-up.and-unwind relationship zplates 43 and 44 to .again extend. The: loading sta tion A is then ready to receive a succeeding object 20.

In the particular apparatus illustrated, the operator simply pushes the loaded carton 10 off the loading station A, whereupon it contacts the belt 27 and is carried slowly along the conveyor 25 from the station A to the station B. During this part of travel, or prior thereto while the carton is still on the loading station A, there may be placed in the top of the container padding and reinforcing means and various accessories and literature to accompany the object 20. This is easily accomplished, since the flaps 1719 are all fully open. As the container 10 approaches the gluing station B, the upper foremost flap 18 is plowed inwardly by the plows 115A. The carton 10 contacts the microswitch 108, actuating the pneumatic cylinder linkage 107 and causing depression of the paddle 105. The paddle 105 swipes forwardly in sliding contact with the outside of the upper rearmost flap 19, shifting this flap to an almost closed positionvwhich is maintained until the flap 19 contacts the plows 115A to be fully closed thereby.

Side plows 108(2) are provided to guide the flaps 16 and 17 to assure that the flaps 16 and 17 enter the glu ing station in a laterally outwardly extending position. The flaps 12 and 13 also enter in this position due to their engagement with the top sides of the conveyor 25. The flaps 16 and 17 are glued by the upper glue rolls 68, and the flaps 12 and 13 are glued by the lower glue rolls 83. Each glue roll and its associated guide rolls 80 or 92 are preferably positioned so that a common plane is tangent to each roll or so that the glue roll extends slightly within the plane which is tangent to the pair of associated guide rolls. As each flap passes beyond the leading guide roll and engages the glue roll, it is therefore very slightly bent, and, as it continues and engages the trailing guide roll, it is again very slightly bent in the opposite direction. This provides a highly satisfactory glue-applyng action and eliminates any tendency of the flaps to be deformed or sprung or the glue thereon to be splattered by engagement and disengagement with spring-loaded mandrels or similar spring-loaded devices conventionally used to force flaps to be pressed firmly against glue-applying rolls.

As the carton 10, with its sideward flaps now glued, leaves the station B and approaches the station C, it is positioned between the points 138 and 140. At this point, the upper flap 17 is plowed upwardly by the plow 136, and the carton 10 then contacts the microswitch 133, causing the cylinder 130 to be energized and causing the striking members 124 and 125 to swing inwardly. The canted member 129 associated with the striking members 124 and 125 strikes the flaps 17 and 13 with a follow-up action which causes full and complete closure of these flaps. The flap 13 closes over the member 13 4. As the carton 10 continues to station D, this flap-closing action is duplicated for the flaps 12 and 16. The flap 16 is plowed upwardly by a plow 135. The carton contacts the microswitch 132 causing actuation of the striking members 122 and 123 and accomplishing inward folding of the flaps 16 and 12. The flap 12 closes over the member 134A. As the carton leaves each station C or D, the members 134 or 134A are left behind and pass out from under the flaps 13 and 12 across the rearmost sides thereof.

As the carton leaves the sealing stations C and D, it ends contact with the microswitches 133 and 132, respectively, causing the various striking members 1'22--125 to return to their normal position for the reception of a succeeding carton. As the carton 10 enters the squaring station, it strikes the microswitch 180, causing the squaring bars 179 to be shifted outwardly, releasing the carton preceding the carton 10. Driven by the belts 30 and 31, the carton 10 enters between the squaring bars 179 and forces the preceding carton out from there- .bctween. As the carton 16 fully enters between the sealing bars 179, contact with the microswitch 180 ends, and the sealing bars shift toward closed position. The carton 10 is therefore held in firm and square position by the bars 179 and the weighted rolls 171 until such time as it is displaced by a succeeding loaded carton. The glue is preferably chosen so that its setting time is such that it will still be somewhat fluid after the interval of passage from the station B to the station E but will set by the time the carton is displaced from the squaring station E.

The structure as described above is versatile and capable of being quickly adjusted to accommodate cartons which vary widely in their width and height. Furthermore, since the guide rails 63 and the squaring bars 179 adjust upwardly and downwardly automatically according to the particular height adjustment which is chosen, these guide rails and squaring bars are automatically positioned correctly in guiding and retaining or squaring engagement with cartons of all sizes. When it is desired to changeover from one size to another, it is only'necessary to actuate the motor 75 sufiiciently to effect the desired height adjustment and to actuate the motor 156 suificienly to effect the desired width adjustment. When the height adjustment is made the rolls 116 and 171 are raised or lowered in relation to the rolls 26. At the same time, the guide rails 61 are correspondingly raised or lowered, being carried bodily by the linkages 152-155 and at their leading ends by the cantilever bolts 159 and crank arms 158. The upper striking members 122 and 124 at the sealing stations, together with their associated actuating linkages and cylinders 121, also move up and down with the frame members 61 or 170 when the height adjustment is made. So also do the upper glue rolls and associated elements which move with the vertically shifting pillow assemblies 70. The upper squaring bars or pressers 179 and associated linkages including the actuating cylinders 175 therefor are also carried bodily with the vertically adjustable longitudinal frame members. The frame members 61 and are suspended by the hanging chain portions 149 associated with the long chains 146 and coupling bars 147. The leading ends of the frame members 61 are raised and lowered by raising and lowering of the straps 71B which are supported by the chain hangers 71. The chain hangers 71, 72 and the long chains 146 are taken up on the shaft 74 by means of suitable sprockets, as indicated in the drawings.

Linkage for delay of vertical adjustment of pressers It should be noted that it only requires several seconds for any given carton to proceed though the gluing station and the sealing stations C and D to the squaring station E. Accordingly, but for the engagement of the squaring bars or pressers 179 with passing cartons, the machine is free to be vertically adjusted for another height (within the vertical range or capacity alforded by the pivoted suspension of the rolls 171) after a very short interval of time following the reception of a machine of a given height. This short time interval is enough to allow repeated changeover between packages varying in height by several inches. Where two models are being made on a single production line, it is not uncommon to deliver to the packaging operation one model and then another in constant alternation, with the two models differing in height by several inches. In order to render the machine capable of accepting such alternating cartons Without having to clear the machine, there may be provided a resilient linkage means for allowing the upper set of oppositely disposed pressers 179 to be restrained from following up and down movement of the frame members 63 and 170 until they are disengaged from passing cartons. Such a linkage is shown in Figures 18 and 19 which illustrate modifications in certain portions of the structure shown in Figures 15 and 14, respectively. In stead of being fixed to short support beams or spacer beams 173, as shown in Figures 1.4 .and 15,..the cylinders 175yand their associated linkages including the pressers 179, guide rods. 178 and other associated elements are carried bodily by a pair. of pins 185'. received. in. bosses 18'6 fixed irl the-adjacent cross beam between the members'170. Springs 187 below the bosses urge each presser assemblydownwardly, and spring 188 above the bosses act against washers 189 fixed to each pin.185 tourge each presser'assembly upwardly, the springs187 and 188 coacting to maintain the upper pressernassem'blies in 'vertically centered relationship with respect to the frame assembly with which they move. 'When a height adjustment of several inches is to be made, it is only necessary to allow the machine to clear through to the squaring Ss'tation. When the clearing carton arrives at the squar-. lngstation to be engaged by the pressers" 179, the height "iadjustment can be made;

The springsll87 and'188 accommodate the vertical movement even though the press- ':.ersi'179. are engaged with the just-cleared carton." When j'this carton is subsequently released, the'upperpressers '179-will automatically spring to a centered position corresponding to the newly chosen vertical adjustment of the machine as a whole. The pivoted mounting'of the rolls 171' allows such vertical adjustment to be made even though the. machine is filled with cartons on the output side of the squaring station.

For fairly extreme sizeadjustm'ents', theentire machine should be cleared before efiecting the changeover.

It will be apparent that many.variations in the many details of the 'illustrated'apparatus will be possible; The

"invention is not limited to these details, but its scope is to A be determined by the'followi-ng'claims.

What is claimed is: l 1; In a-machine for' packing 'large'heavy objects in paperboard containers of rectangular shape and provided with four lower and four upper end flaps, conveyor means lead ing past a 'cartonloading station and then past a gluing station, sealing stations and a'squaring station; means at said loadingstation for infolding under passing objects to be packaged the foremost and rearmos-t lower flaps of cartons'which are dropped over such objects'and =thereupon allowing translationof each objectand its a carton toward said' gluing station-while at all times sup- 'porting such objects from beneath, a generally horizontal frame extending over said gluing station, sealing stations and squaring station, means for vertically translating said -frame between first and second levels through a continuous range of preselectable heights for processing of runs '=--ofcartons of ditferent heights, means at said gluing sta- 1 tion for applying glue to'the inner sides of opened upper msideward flaps associated-with each passing carton, said it last named means being carried by said frame for vertical translation therewith, means at said gluing station for aprt plying glue to the inner sides-of opened lower sideward "azflaps associated with each passing carton, said sealing 3 :stations comprising a first sealing station at'which said .cconveyor-means is constructed to transversely extend under. and support only one first half of each passing carton "-to accommodiate infolding of thelower'sideward flap associated with the other half'of' the carton, a second sealing station at which saidconveyor-means is con- -Jstructed to transversely extend and support only the other half of. each passing carton to accommodate 'infolding of the lower .sidewardfiap associated with the'one 1 :first half of the carton, plow-means at said sealing-stations for initiating inward folding of the upper and lower sideward flaps associated with :eachpassing: carton,

-.'. firstiupper striking means and first lower striking means '.;comprising a first pair of striking means at said' first sealing-station for completing. inward folding of one-upper andone lower sideward flap associated with eachlpassing carton and second upper striking means and second lower striking means comprising asecondpair of striking .means at said second. sealingtstation'foincompleting in- -yvard foldingsof the other upper and other lower side- .ward -flap associated with eachpassing carton, said. first and second upper striking means being carried bodily'by said generallyhorizontal frame and being bodily mov- 3 able therewith, means'to actuate'each of said striking means in response to positioning of approaching cartons,

rotatable rolls hung transversely. across said conveyor means between saidsecond sealing station and said squaring station, hanging means for said rolls comprising .jour- .nalv means yieldingly upwardly translatable against the weight'of said rolls through a vertical range of travel,

upper and lower oppositely disposed sets of. pressers at said squaring station on opposite sides of said conveyor means, means for moving said oppositely disposed pressers apart as each successive carton approaches said'squaring station and for moving said oppositely disposed pressers toward each other as each successive carton -completely enters said squaring station, said upper'set of opdown therewith.

2. In a machine for packing "large heavy objects in paperboard containers of rectangular shape and provided Iwith four lower and four upper. end flaps, conveyor means leading past a carton loading station'and-then past a gluing station, sealing stations and a squaring station, means at said loading station for infolding under passlng ob ects to be packaged the foremost and rearmost lower flapsof cartons which are dropped over such objects and thereupon allowing translation of each object and its carton toward saidtgluing station while at all times supporting such objectsfrom beneath, a generally "horizontal'frame"extending oversaid gluing station, sealing stations and squaring station, means for vertically'translating said frame between first and second levels through a continuous range of preselectable heights for processing of runs of cartons of different heights, means at said gluing station 'for applying glue to the inner sides of opened upper sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, said last named means being carried by said frame for vertical translation therewith, means at said gluing station forapplying glue to the inner sides. of opened lower sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, said sealing 'sta tions comprising'a first sealing station at which said conveyor means is constructed to transversely extend" under and supportonly one first half of each passing'carton to accommodate 'infolding of the lower sideward flap associated with the other half of he carton, a second sealing station at which said conveyor means is'constr'ucte'd' to transversely extend and support only the other half of each passing carton to accommodate infolding of' the lower sideward flap associated with the one first half of the carton, plow means at said sealing stations for initiating inward folding of the upper and lower sideward'fiaps associated with each passing carton, first upper striking means andfirst lower striking means comprising a'first n pair of striking means at. said first. sealing station for completing. inward folding of one upper andone "lower 'sideward flap associated with each passing cartonand second upper striking means and second lower striking means comprising a second pair of striking means at said second 'sealing station for completing inward folding of the other upper and other lower sideward'fiap associated with each passing carton, said first and second upper striking means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable therewith, means to actuate each'of. said striking means in response to transversely across said conveyor means between said second sealing station and said squaring station, hanging means for said rolls comprising journal means yieldingly upwardly translatable against the weight of said rolls through a vertical range of travel, oppositely disposed sets of pressers at said squaring station on opposite sides of said conveyor means, means for moving said oppositely disposed pressers apart as each successive carton approaches said squaring station and for moving said oppositely disposed pressers toward each other as each successive carton completely enters said squaring station, oppositely disposed guide rail means extending longitudinally along said conveyor means on either side thereof from said gluing station to said squaring station, means for moving said oppositely disposed guide rail means toward and away from each other through a continuous range of preselectable spacings for processing of runs of cartons of diiferent widths, said oppositely disposed guide rail means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable up and down therewith.

3. In a machine for packaging large heavy objects in paperboard containers of rectangular shape and provided with four lower and four upper end flaps, conveyor means leading past a carton loading station and then past a gluing station, sealing stations and a squaring station, means at said loading station for infolding under passing objects to be packaged the foremost and rearmost lower flaps of cartons which are dropped over such objects and thereupon allowing translation of each object and its carton toward said gluing station while at all times supporting such objects from beneath, a generally horizontal frame extending over said gluing station, sealing stations and squaring station, means for vertically translating said frame between first and second levels through a continuous range of preselectable heights for processing of runs of cartons of different heights, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of opened up per sideward fiaps associated with each passing carton, said last named means being carried by said frame for vertical translation therewith, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of opened lower sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, said sealing stations comprising a first sealing station at which said conveyor means is constructed to transversely extend under and support only one first half of each passing carton to accommodate infolding of the lower sideward flap associated with the other half of the carton, a second sealing station at which said conveyor means is constructed to transversely extend and support only the other half of each passing carton to accommodate infolding of the lower sideward flap associated with the one first half of the carton, plow means at said sealing stations for initiating inward folding of the upper and lower sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, first upper striking means and first lower striking means comprising a first pair of striking means at said first sealing station for completing inward folding of one upper and one lower sideward flap associated with each passing carton and second upper striking means and second lower striking means comprising a second pair of striking means at said second scaling station for completing inward folding of the other upper and other lower sideward flap associated with each passing carton, said first and second upper striking means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable therewith, means to actuate each of said striking means in response to positioning of approaching cartons, rotatable rolls hungtransversely across said conveyor means between said second sealing station and said squaring station, hanging means for said rolls comprising journal means yieldingly upwardly translatable against the weight of said rolls through a vertical range of travel, upper and lower oppositely disposed sets of pressers at said squaring station on opposite sides of 12 said conveyor means, means for moving said oppositely disposed pressers apart as each successive carton approaches said squaring station and for moving said oppositely disposed pressers toward each other as each successive carton completely enters said squaring station, said upper set of oppositely disposed pressers being carried bodily on said generally horizontal frame by resilient linkage means for allowing said upper set of oppositely disposed pressers to be restrained from following up and down movement of said generally horizontal frame until the pressers are disengaged from pressing engagement with a passing object, oppositely disposed guide rail means extending longitudinally along said conveyor means on either side thereof from said gluing station to said squaring station, means for moving said oppositely disposed guide rail means toward and away from each other through a continuous range of preselectable spacings for processing of runs of cartons of different widths, said oppositely disposed guide rail means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable up and down therewith.

4. In a machine for packing large heavy objects in paperboard containers of rectangular shape and provided with four lower and four upper end flaps, conveyor means leading past a carton loading station and then past a gluing station, sealing stations and a squaring station, means at said loading station for infolding under passing objects to be packaged the foremost and rearmost lower flaps of cartons which are dropped over such objects and thereupon allowing translation of each object and its carton toward said gluing station while at all times supporting such objects from beneath, a generally horizontal frame extending over said gluing station, sealing stations and squaring station, means for vertically translating said frame between first and second levels through a continuous range of preselectable heights for processing of runs of cartons of different heights, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of opened upper sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, said last named means being carried by said frame for vertical translation therewith, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of opened lower sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, said sealing stations comprising a first sealing station at which said conveyor means is constructed to transversely extend under and support only one first half of each passing carton to accommodate infolding of the lower sideward flap associated with the other half of the carton, a second sealing station at which said conveyor means is constructed to transversely extend and support only the other half of each passing carton to accommodate infolding of the lower sideward flap associated with the one first half of the carton, plow means at said sealing stations for initiating inward folding of the upper and lower sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, first upper striking means and first lower striking means comprising a first pair of striking means at said first sealing station for completing inward folding of one upper and one lower sideward flap associated with each passing carton and second upper striking means and second lower striking means comprising a second pair of striking means at said second sealing station for completing inward folding of the other upper and other lower sideward flap associated with each passing carton, said first and second upper striking means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable therewith, means to actuate each of said striking means in response to positioning of approaching cartons, rotatable rolls hung transversely across said conveyor means between said second sealing station and said squaring station, hanging means for said rolls comprising journal means yieldingly upwardly translatable against the weight of said rolls through a vertical range of travel, oppositely disposed pressers at said squaring station on opposite sides of said conveyor means, means for moving Said oppositely-disposed pressers apart aseach. successive carzton approaches'said squaring station and for movlng said woppositely disposed pressers toward each other as each ---successive acarton completely enters said squaring sta- I tion, oppositely disposed guide railmeans extending longitudinally along saidconveyor means on .either side thereof from-saidgluingstation to said squaring station, means for v moving-said oppositely disposed guide rail 4: means toward and away from each other through a continuous range. of preselectable spacings for processing of runs ofcartons of diiferent widths, said oppositely disposed guiderail means being carried bodily by. said generally horizontalframe and being bodily movable up and down therewith.

5. In a. machinefor packing large heavy objects in' paperboard containers of rectangular shape and provided with four lower and four upper end flaps, conveyor means wleading past acarton loading station and then past a gluing station, sealing stations and asquaring station, means at said loading station for infolding under passing objects to be-packagedthe foremost and rearmost lower flaps of. cartons which are dropped over such objects and -r thereupon allowing translation of each object and its --carton toward said gluingstation while at all times supporting such-objects from beneath, a generally horizontal va-frame extending over said gluing station, sealing stations .--and squaring station, means for vertically translating said T frame between first and second levels through a continuous range of preselectable heights for processing of runs of cartons of different heights, means at said gluing sta= -tion-for applying glue to the inner sides of upper and loWersideward-fiaps of each passing carton, means at said sealing stations for closing said upper and lower -sidewardflaps of-eachpassingcarton, upper and lower oppositely disposed sets of pressers at said squaring sta -.=vtion on opposite sides of said conveyor means, means for-moving saidoppositely disposed pressers apart as each successive carton approaches said squaring station and for-moving said oppositely disposed pressers toward 1 each other as each successive carton completely enters said squaring station, said upper set of oppositely disposed pressers being carried bodily on said generally horizontal frame by resilient linkage means for allowing said upper 1 set of oppositely disposed pressers to be restrained from following up and'down movement of said generally horizontal frame until the pressers are disengaged from press- :ing. engagement with a passing object, oppositely dis- "posedguide rail means extending longitudinally along said conveyor-means on either side thereof from said gluing-station to said squaring station, said oppositely disposed guide railmeans being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frameand being bodily movable up i .and down therewith.

6. In a machine-for packing large heavy objects in paperboard containers :ofrectangular shape and provided.

- with four lower and four upper end flaps, conveyor means leading'past a carton loading station and then past a gluing-station,-sealing stations and a squaring station, -means at said loading station'for infolding under passing objects to be packaged the foremost and rearmost lower flapsof cartons which are dropped over such objects ..-and thereupon allowing translation of each object and its carton toward said gluing station while at all times supportingsuch objects from beneath, a generally hori- .zontal frame extending over said gluing station, sealing stations and squaring station, means for vertically translating-said frame between first and second levels through a continuous range of preselectable heights for processing ofruns of cartonsof. different heights, means at said .gluingstation for applying glue to the inner sides of opened uppersideward flaps associated with each passing carton, said last named-means being carried by said frame forvertical translation therewith, means at said gluing :station for applying glue to the inner sides of opened lower sidewardflaps associated with each passing carton,

. '14 1 means. at..said.sealing .stationsfor closing saidnpperwand Y lower'fsideward flaps of .each passing carton,.up-per.'and lower oppositelydisposed sets of pressers at said squaring station onfopp osite sides of said conveyor means,-means 5 for moving said oppositely disposed pressers apart as each successivecarton approaches said squaringstation and for moving saidoppositely disposed pressers toward each'other aseach successive cartonv completely enters said squaring station, saidupper. set of oppositelydispo sed pressers being .carriedbodily on said generally horizontal frame by resilient linkage means for allowing saidupperset of, oppositely disposed pressers tobe restrained from following. up and down movement of-said generally horizontal frame until. the pressers are disen gaged from pressing engagement with a passing. object,

oppositely disposed guide rail means extending longitudiiially along said conveyor .meanson either side thereof from :said"gluing station-to said squaring station, said .oppositely disposed guide rail means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movableup and down therewith.

7. In a machine for packing large heavy objects. in paperboard containers of rectangular shape and provided .with four lower and fourupper end flaps, conveyor means leading past a carton loading station and then past a gluing station, sealing stations and a squaring station, "means at said loading station for infolding under passing objects to be packaged the foremost and rearmost lower flaps of cartons which are dropped over such objects and '30 thereupon allowing translation of each objectand its carton toward said gluing station while at all times supporting such objects from beneath, a generally horizontal I frame extending over said gluing. station; sealing stations and- ;squar ing station, meansfor vertically translating said frame between first and second levels through a con- -tinuous range-of preselectableheights for processing of runs of cartons of different heights, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of upper and lower sideward flapsof each passing carton, means at said sealing stations for. closing said upper andlower sideward flapsof each passing carton, upper and lower oppositely disposed sets of pressers at said squaring station on oppoite ides of said conveyor means, means for .moving said oppositely. disposed pressers apart as each 5 successive cartonapproaches said squaring stationand for moving. said oppositely disposed pressers toward each ,other as. each successive carton completely enters said squaring station, said upper. set of, oppositely disposed a pressersbeing carried bodily on said generally horizontal frame by resilient linkagemeans for allowing saidupper set of, oppositelydisposed pressers to be restrained from following up.and down movement of said generally horizontal frame untilthe pressers are disengaged from pressjing engagement with a passing object, oppositely .dis-

posed guidewrailmeans extending longitudinally'along -saidconveyor means on either side thereof from. said gluing station to said squaring station, means for moving said oppositely: disposed guide rail means towardand awayfrom each other'through a continuous range of pre- 0 selectable spacings for processing of runs of cartons: of .difierent-widths, said oppositely disposed guide rail means being carriedbodily by said generally horizontal frame and-being bodily movable up and. down therewith.

z. 8.: In a. machine. forpacking large heavy objects. in 5' paperboard containers. of rectangular shape and provided with four lower and four upper end flaps, conveyor means leading past a carton loading station and then past a gluing -station;-sealing stations and asquaring station, means at-said-loading station for infolding under passing -j0bjECtS- to be-packaged the .foremost and rearmost lower .fiaps of. cartons which are dropped over such objects .and .thereuponallowing translation of each object and'its .carton toward said gluing station while at all times supporting. such objects from beneath, a generally horizontal frame. extending over-said gluing station, sealing. stations and squaring station, means for vertically translating said frame between first and second levels through a contmuous range of preselectable heights for processing of runs of cartons of different heights, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of opened upper sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, said last named means being carried by said frame for vertical translation therewith, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of opened lower sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, means at said sealing stations for closing said upper and lower sideward flaps of each passing carton, upper and lower oppositely disposed sets of pressers at said squaring station on opposite sides of said conveyor means, means for moving said oppositely disposed pressers apart as each successive carton approaches said squaring station and for moving said oppositely disposed pressers toward each other as each successive carton completely enters said squaring station, said upper set of oppositely disposed pressers being carried bodily on said generally horizontal frame by resilient linkage means for allowing said upper set of oppositely disposed pressers to be restrained from following up and down movement of said generally horizontal frame until the pressers are disengaged from pressing engagement with a passing object, oppositely disposed guide rail means extending longitudinally along said conveyor means on either side thereof from said gluing station to said squaring station, means for moving said oppositely disposed guide rail means toward and away from each other through a continuous range of preselectable spacings for processing of runs of cartons of different widths, said oppositely disposed guide rail means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable up and down therewith.

9. In a machine for packing large heavy objects in paperboard containers of rectangular shape and provided with four lower and four upper end flaps, conveyor means leading past a carton-loading station and then past a gluing station and sealing stations, means at said loading station for infolding under passing objects to be packaged the foremost and rearmost lower flaps of cartons which are dropped over such objects and thereupon allowing translation of each object and its carton toward said gluing station while at all times supporting such objects from beneath, a generally horizontal frame extending over said gluing station and said sealing stations, means for vertically translating said frame between first and second levels through a continuous range of preselectable heights for processing of runs of cartons of different heights, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of opened upper sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, said last named means being carried by said frame for vertical translation therewith, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of opened lower sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, said sealing stations comprising a first sealing station at which said conveyor means is constructed to transversely extend under and support only one first half of each passing carton to accommodate infolding of the lower sideward flap associated with the other half of the carton, a second sealing station at which said conveyor means is constructed to transversely extend and support only the other half of each passing carton to accommodate infolding of the lower sideward fiap associated with the one first half of the carton, plow means at said sealing stations for initiating inward folding of the upper and lower sideward fiaps associated with each passing carton, first upper striking means and first lower striking means comprising a first pair of striking means at said first sealing station for completing inward folding of one upper and one lower sideward flap associated with each passing carton and second upper striking means and second lower striking means comprising a second pair of striking means at said second 16 sealing station for completing inward folding of the other upper and other lower sideward flap associated with each passing carton, said first and second upper striking means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable therewith, means to actuate each of said striking means in response to positioning of approaching cartons, oppositely disposed guide rail means extending longitudinally along said conveyor means on either side thereof from said gluing station to beyond both of said sealing stations, means for moving said oppositely disposed guide rail means toward and away from each other through a continuous range of preselectable spacings for processing of runs of cartons of different widths, said oppositely disposed guide rail means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable up and down therewith.

10. in a machine for packing large heavy objects in paperboard containers of rectangular shape and provided with four lower and four upper end flaps, conveyor means ieading past a carton-loading station and then past a gluing station and sealing stations, means at said loading station for infolding under passing objects to be packaged the foremost and rearmost lower flaps of cartons which are dropped over such objects and thereupon allowing translation of each object and its carton toward said gluing station while at all times supporting such objects from beneath, a generally horizontal frame extending over said gluing station and said sealing stations, means for vertically translating said frame between first and second levels through a continuous range of preselectable heights for processing of runs of cartons of different heights, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of upper and lower sideward flaps of each passing carton, said sealing stations comprising a first sealing station at which said conveyor means is constructed to transversely extend under and support only one first half of each passing carton to accommodate infolding of the lower sideward flap associated with the other half of the carton, a second sealing station at which said conveyor means is constructed to transversely extend and support only the other half of each passing carton to accommodate infolding of the lower sideward flap associated with the one first half of the carton, plow means at said sealing stations for initiating inward folding of the upper and lower sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, first upper striking means and first lower striking means comprising a first pair of striking means at said first sealing station for completing inward folding of one upper and one lower sideward flap associated with each passing carton and second upper striking means and second lower striking means comprising a second pair of striking means at said second sealing station for completing inward folding of the other upper and other lower sideward flap associated with each passing carton, said first and second upper striking means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable therewith, means to actuate each of said striking means in response to positioning of approaching cartons, oppositely disposed guide rail means extending longitudinally along said conveyor means on either side thereof from said gluing station to beyond both of said sealing stations, means for moving said oppositely disposed guide rail means toward and away from each other through a continuous range of preselectable spacings for processing of runs of cartons of difierent widths, said oppositely disposed guide rail means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable up and down therewith.

11. In a machine for packing large heavy objects in paperboard containers of rectangular shape and provided with four lower and four upper end flaps, conveyor means leading past a carton loading station and then past a gluing station, sealing stations and a squaring station, means at said loading station for infolding under passing objects to be packaged the foremost and rearmost lower flaps of cartons which are dropped over such objects and thereupon allowing translation of each object and its carton toward said gluing station while at all times supporting such objects from beneath, a generally horizontal frame extending over said gluing station, sealing stations and squaring station, means for vertically translating said frame between first and second levels through a continuous range of preselectable heights for processing of runs vof cartons of different heights, neansat said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of opened upper sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, said last' named means being carried by said frame for vertical translation therewith, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the'inner sides of opened lower sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, means at said sealing stations for closing said upper and lower sideward flaps of each passing carton, upper and lower oppositely disposed sets of pressers at said squaring station on opposite sides of said conveyor means, means for moving said oppositely disposed pressers apart as eachsuccessive carton approaches said squaring station and for moving said oppositely disposed pressers toward each other as each successive carton completely enters said squaring station, said upper set of oppositely disposed pressers being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable therewith, oppositely. disposed guide rail means extending longitudinally along-said conveyor means on either side thereof from said gluing station to said squaring station, said oppositely disposed guide rail means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable up and down therewith.

. 12. In a machine for packing large heavy objects in paperboard containers of rectangular shape and provided with four lower and four upper end flaps, conveyor means leading past a carton loading station and then past a gluing station, sealing stations and a squaring station, means at said loading station for infolding under passing objects to be packaged the foremost and rearmost lower flaps of cartons which are dropped over such objects and thereupon allowing translation of each object and its carton toward said gluing station while at all times supporting such objects from beneath, a generally hori- Zontalframe extending over said gluing station, sealing stations and squaring station, means for vertically translating said frame between first and second levels through a continuous range of preselectable heights for processing of runs of cartons of different heights, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of upper and lower sideward flaps of each passing carton, means at said sealing stations for closing said upper and lower sideward flaps of each passing carton, upper and lower oppositelydisposed sets of pressers at said squaring station on. opposite sides of said conveyor means, means for moving said oppositely disposed pressers apart as each successive carton approaches said squaring station and for moving said oppositely disposed pressers toward each other asi-eacl successive-carton. completely enters said squaring station, said upper set of oppositely disposed pressers being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable therewith, oppositely disposed guide rail means extending longitudinally along said conveyor means on either side thereof from said gluing station to said squaring station, said oppositely disposed guide rail means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable up and down therewith.

13. In a machine for packing large heavy objects in paperboard containers of rectangular shape and provided with four lower and four upper end flaps, conveyor means leading past a carton loading station and then past a gluing station, sealing stations and a squaring station, means at said loading station for infolding under passing objects to be packaged the foremost and rearmost lower flaps of cartons which are dropped over such objects and thereupon allowing translation of each object and its carton toward said gluing station while at all times supporting such objects from beneath, a generally horizontal frame extending over said gluing station, sealing stations and squaring station, means for vertically translating said frame between first and second levels through a continuous range of preselectable heights for processing of runs of cartons of diiferent heights, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of opened upper sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, said last named means being carried by said frame for vertical translation therewith, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of opened lower sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, means at said sealing stations for closing said upper and lower sideward flaps of each passing carton, upper and lower oppositely disposed sets of pressers at said squaring station on opposite sides of said conveyor means, means for moving said'oppositely disposed pressers apart as each successive carton approaches said squaring station and for moving said oppositely disposed pressers toward each other as each successive carton completely enters said squaring station, said upper set of oppositely disposed pressers being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily'movable therewith, oppositely disposed guide rail means extending longitudinally along said conveyor means on either side thereof from said gluing station to said squaring station, means for moving said oppositely disposed guide rail means toward and away from each other through a continuous range of preselectable spacings for processing of runs of cartons of different widths, said oppositely disposed guide rail means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable up and down therewith.

14. In a machine for packing large heavy objects in paperboard containers of rectangular shape and provided with four lower and four upper end flaps, conveyor means leading past a carton loading station and then past a gluing station, sealing stations and a squaring station, means at said loading station for infolding under passing objects to be packaged the foremost and rearmost lower flaps of cartons which are dropped over such objects and thereupon allowing translation of each object and its carton toward said gluing station while at all times supporting such objects from beneath, a generally horizontal frame extending over said gluing station, sealing stations and squaring station, means for vertically translatingsaid frame between first and second levels through a continuous range of preselectable heights for processing of runs of cartons of diiferent heights, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of upper and lower sidewardfiaps of each passing carton, means at said sealing stations for closing said upper and lower sideward flaps of each passing carton, upper and lower oppositely disposed sets of pressers at said squaring station on opposite sides of said conveyor means, means for moving said oppositely disposed pressers apart as each successive carton approaches said squaring station and for moving said oppositely disposed pressers toward eachother aseach successive carton completely enters said squaring station, said upper set of oppositely disposed pressers being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable therewith, oppositely disposed guide rail means extending longitudinally along said conveyor means on either side thereof from said gluing station to said squaring station, means for moving said oppositely disposed guide rail means toward and away from each other through a continuous range of preselectable spacings for processing of nuns of cartons of different widths, said oppositely disposed guide rail means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable up and down therewith.

15. In a machine for packing large heavy objects in paperboard containers of rectangular shape and pro- 19 vided with four lower and four upper end flaps, conveyor means leading past a carton loading station and then past a gluing station, sealing stations and a squaring station, means atsaid loading station for infolding under passing'objects to be packaged the foremost and rearmost lower flaps of cartons which are dropped over such objects and thereupon allowing translation of each object and its carton toward said gluing station while at all times supporting such objects from beneath, a generally horizontal frame extending over said gluing station, sealing stations and squaring station, means for vertically translating said frame between first and second levels through a continuous range of preselectable heights for processing of runs of cartons of difierent heights, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of opened upper sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, said last named means being carried by said frame for vertical translation therewith, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the inner sides of opened lower sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, said sealing stations comprising a first sealinggstation at which said conveyor means is constructed to transversely, extend under and support only one first half of'eacli passing carton to accommodate infolding offthe lower sideward flap asso ciated with thejother half. of the carton, a second sealing station at which said conveyor means is constructed to transversely extend andsupport only the other half of each passing carton to accommodate infolding of the lower sideward flap associated with the one first half of the carton, plow means at said sealing stations for initiating inward folding of theupper and lower sideward flaps associated with each passing carton, first upper striking means and first lower striking means comprising a first pair of striking means at said first sealing station for completing inward folding of one upper and one lower sideward flap associated with each passing carton and second upper striking means and second lower striking means comprising a second pair of striking means at said secondsealing station for completing inward folding of the other upper and other lower sideward flap associated with each passing carton, said first and second upper striking means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable therewith, means to actuate each of said striking means in response to positioning of approaching cartons, means at said squaring station for firmly support:

ing each received carton insquared. attitude during setting of applied glue, oppositely disposed guide rail means extending longitudinally along said conveyor means on either side thereof from said gluing station to said squaring station, means for moving said oppositely disposed guide rail means toward and away from each other through a continuous range of preselectable spacings for processing of runs of cartons of difierent widths, said oppositely disposed guide rail 'means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable up and down therewith.

16. In a machine for packing large heavy objects in 20 paperboard containers of rectangular shape and provided with four lower and four upper end flaps, conveyor means leading past a carton loading station and then past a gluing station, sealing stations and a squaring station, means at said loading station for infolding under passing objects to, be packaged the foremost and I'fiElI'IIlOSi lower flaps of cartons which are dropped over such, objects and thereupon allowing translation of each object and its carton toward said gluing station while at all times supporting such objects from beneath, a generally horizontal frame extending over said gluing station, sealing stations and squaring station, means for vertically translating said frame between first and second levels through a continuous range of preselectable heights for processing of runs of cartons of different heights, means at said gluing station for applying glue to the. inner sides of upper and lower sideward flaps of each passing carton, said sealing stations comprising a first. sealing station at which said conveyor means is constructed to transversely extend under and support only one first half of each passing carton to accommodate infolding of the lower sideward flap associated with the other half of the carton, a second sealing station at which said conveyor means is constructed to transversely extend and support only the other half of' each passing carton to accommodate infolding of the lower sideward flap associated with the one first half of the carton, plow means at said sealing stations for initiating inward folding of the upper and lower sideward'flaps associated with each passing carton, first upper striking means and first lower striking means comprising a first pair of striking means at said first sealing station for completing inward folding of one upper and one lower sideward flap associated with each passing carton and second upper striking means and second lower striking means comprising a secondpair of' striking means at said second sealing station for completing inward folding of the other upper andother lower sideward flap associated with each passing carton, said'first and second upper striking means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame'and being bodily movable therewith, means to actuate each of said striking means in response to positioning of approaching cartons, means at said squaring station for firmly supporting each received carton in squared attitude during setting of applied glue, oppositely disposed guide rail means extending longitudinally along said conveyor means oneither side thereof from said'gluing station to said squaring station, means for moving said oppositely disposedguide rail means toward and away from each other through a continuous range of preselectable spacings for processing of runs of cartons otdiiferent widths, said oppositely disposed guide rail means being carried bodily by said generally horizontal frame and being bodily movable up and down therewith. i

ReferencesCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,804,738 Shenizo Sept. 3, 1957 

